This Week From Panama City Beach, Florida

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Hello from stormy Panama City, Florida - I imagine we're experiencing the same weather you all have been at home. I expect isolated showers when I come to the beach in July - but wow, the rain here has been unreal. Luckily today we had a dry day (until about 5:30pm), although the surf has been so rough that there's no swimming allowed in the Gulf (or the bay currently) due to extremely dangerous riptides. We have one more full day, so fingers crossed the double red flags are gone tomorrow!

Drew has been anxious to try out his skimboard - and last night we drove about 45 minutes to Seaside where the water wasn't as rough. Even though we only got about an hour of beach time in before we got hit with more storms, the boys were thrilled to be in the sand and on the shore.


We did have a great time on our Airboat Adventure tour and visit to Gator Country Alligator Park earlier in the week. We all held live baby alligators! Tomorrow we're going back to see Bubba, the 7-foot alligator, and from what I hear it's going to be quite a show. Bubba was raised by humans and is apparently quite friendly (really). A full review and photos to come!

Today we went on the Sea Screamer snorkeling tour...it was the boys' first time truly snorkeling, and this trip was perfect for them. We saw a pod of dolphins swimming - though we didn't get to swim in the water with them (often you can, but the storms and rough seas have kept them away for the last couple of months we were told). The boat ride and snorkeling were the perfect solution for missing the beach though. And the boys got to check out what the crew caught in their crab trap....here's Drew with a stone crab!

Next week I'll have several travel reviews from our recent trips...Labor Day Weekend is a great time for a getaway, and with public schools closed Oct. 3-8, that's another opportunity for a family vacation. By then hopefully this rain will be long gone.

This week's edition of Smyrna Vinings Marietta Macaroni Kid may have fewer event listings than usual. I'm going to go enjoy my last couple of days here and will be back with a big issue next week!  Are you all ready for school????

Have a great "end of summer break" and let's hope for a beautiful weekend (we can hope)!

Michelle